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LONDON � James Purefoy ("Rome") has been cast as the eponymous hero in "Solomon Kane," a movie based on the classic comic book by Robert E. Howard ("Conan the Barbarian") about a 16th century Puritan swordsman.

The movie, written and to be directed by Michael J. Bassett, is being produced by Samuel Hadida of Paris-based Davis Films and Paul Berrow of Prague-based Wandering Star. It will start shooting later this year.

International sales are being handled by Essential Entertainment in Los Angeles.

The producers are planning a "Solomon Kane" trilogy. The title character is a soldier who learns that he had been damned by his brutal actions. In order to redeem himself, he swears to live a life of peace, but is forced to fight when a dark power threatens the land.

Hadida recently produced "Domino" and "Silent Hill."